Trip to Japan in autumn 2025 with a child (page 3 of 4)

I booked in Asakusa but some people say it's out of the way while others say it's great...

Well, both... It's especially super touristy.

Our expectations for the neighborhood or where to stay: a lively area including in the evening, Japanese atmosphere, lots of (good) restaurants, easy to get around by public transport without wasting too much time compared to what we're going to do, some shops with cute Japanese stuff.

Asakusa has all that.

Day 2: Tokyo - Yurakucho, Shinjuku (2D café), Shibuya > is that too much?

Yeah, it is. First, we wonder what Yurakucho is doing there, and as for Shibuya and Shinjuku on the same day... how to put it, it feels like a whirlwind tour...

Day 5: Edo-Tokyo museum and Odaiba

Here, I'm a bit lost. First, as far as I know, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is closed until next year (that's what their website says), and Odaiba is already planned for Day 3...

That's where I'm hesitating to rent a car in the morning and head straight to the park...

For Fuji Q Highland, Mount Fuji, the pagoda, I suppose, etc., a car is a good idea. Personally, I’ve always rented one when I’ve gone to that area. But I think there’s a pass that covers the trip from Tokyo and lots of transport options on site...

Day 10: Universal Studios (not yet booked) Day 11: Nara - Night in Osaka Day 12: shopping day and/or aquarium and return flight at 11 PM

That doesn’t leave much time for Osaka itself. I spent a week there this year (including two days for the World Expo) and loved it, even though it was my fourth time. But this city seems to be traditionally overlooked by foreign tourists...

Okay, thanks. I’ll go with that plan instead.

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo Day 2: Tokyo – Shinjuku (2D café) Day 3: Tokyo – Ueno, Akihabara, TeamLab Planets Day 4: Tokyo – Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji neighborhood Day 5: Tokyo – Tea ceremony and not sure yet Day 6: Tokyo – Shibuya and...

I’ll have my translated driver’s license, someone’s doing it for me on-site, so I’m tempted to rent a car (it’s not too expensive either). I’ll think about it.

That doesn’t leave much time for Osaka.

With 11 full days there (I’m not counting the 12th day even though my flight is late), I’m being realistic—I can’t do Tokyo, add 2 days toward Mt. Fuji, *and* visit Osaka. Plus, I’m traveling with a child, which is why I chose Nara and Universal. I’m only going because my flight leaves from there; otherwise, I would’ve skipped it to save for a future trip and stayed in the Tokyo area.

Otherwise, I have an option to stay in Shinjuku (near the station but in a quiet area, according to people who’ve stayed there—even with family). However, it’ll cost me 100 € more than the hotel for the 6 nights. That would let me check out Takeshita Dori on the day I arrive (a Sunday) and also make it easier to get around during the stay.

Shinjuku is the upscale side of Asakusa, without the out-of-the-way feel. It’s even hard to find a better location—except maybe Shibuya.

I stopped going to Takeshita Street by my third trip to Tokyo, and I’ve never gone back since… on a Sunday, no less! !

Hi there,

I’m leaving on October 8th for a three-week trip with my 15-year-old daughter, and I’d *love* to get the name of the hotel in Tokyo you mentioned—I’m staying six days and still haven’t booked my accommodation. Thanks so much in advance for your reply!

Shinjuku is the upscale side of Asakusa, without the out-of-the-way feel. It’s even hard to find a better location, except maybe Shibuya.

Awesome, thanks—I’ve booked it now😉! It’s more expensive, but I think I made the right call.

Takeshita Street, I stopped going after my third trip to Tokyo, and I haven’t been back since... especially not on a Sunday!

...haha, can you tell me why? (Or is once enough?) Well, this’ll be my second trip to Tokyo—even though I’m struggling to plan my itinerary, it’s been 12 years since I last went, so I’ve forgotten a lot—and I’ve never been, so I guess I just want to check it out...

Hi there, I had booked the Richmond Hotel Premier Tokyo Schole in Asakusa on Booking.com but I canceled. So, I’m not going to the hotel anymore but to an apartment in Shinjuku instead. The one I’m going to isn’t available in October, but check Airbnb around Shinjuku Station—honestly, there aren’t many at reasonable prices, so you won’t have too many options to look through (unless you’ve got a big budget, in which case, you’ll be fine). That said, make sure to read the reviews carefully because some places are in noisy areas and not necessarily suitable. Otherwise, Asakusa does seem cheaper, and people are often happy with it. It’s just that, given what I’m planning to do—plus the fact that I have a friend in Tokyo who lives on the opposite side and much closer to Shinjuku—Asakusa just wasn’t the right choice for me, even though the hotel was right by the subway. So, it might work for you!

Also, what I consider an acceptable price might not be the same for everyone😛. For the 6 nights, the hotel in Asakusa cost 742 € for a triple room, so that’s over 100 € per night (and the apartment in Shinjuku is even more expensive 🏴‍☠️). But I did see cheaper options I didn’t choose for various reasons (location or otherwise), and the best value-for-money places weren’t available for my dates (or maybe I’m just really bad at searching).

Happy planning🙂 !

For me, it’ll be my second stay in Tokyo (even though I’m struggling to plan my itinerary, but it’s been 12 years—I’ve forgotten) and I’ve never been there before, so yeah, it’s just to see...

Well, there you go, you’ll see ^^ Let’s not spoil the surprise!

Hello,

Takeshita Street—I stopped going there on my third trip to Tokyo, and I’ve never gone back since... especially not on a Sunday!

...haha, can you tell me why? (Or is once enough?) Well, this will be my second trip to Tokyo (even though I’m struggling to plan my itinerary, but it’s been 12 years, so I’ve forgotten), and I’ve never been, so I guess I just want to see it...

I’ve been to Tokyo three times and only went to Takeshita Street once. It’s a street with mostly teen clothing shops, a few animal cafés, and some food stalls. Nothing unforgettable, and not a place I’d call a must-see, but if you and your daughter feel like checking it out, it’d be a shame not to go. It’s your trip, not anyone else’s. Let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the info! And have a great trip to Japan!

Hello,

Let’s spare the surprise effect...

Okay, I did a bit of research online—maybe I’ll just avoid Sundays😛

Nothing unforgettable and not a place I’d call a must-see in my opinion, but hey, if you and your daughter feel like it, skipping it would be a shame

I don’t expect it to be a must-see either, and knowing me, I probably won’t like it at all—but I think my daughter will. Plus, with 6 days in Tokyo, I’ve got time to check it out...

I won’t like it at all, but I think my daughter will

Yeah, you’ve gotta go at least once. And on Sundays, it’ll be packed—it’s an experience you’ve gotta have!

Hi, Just checking in about your trip to Japan—did you take out extra insurance to cover any medical expenses while you're there?

Thanks in advance for your reply!

Ccil

Hi! I never take out insurance beyond what I have with my card (my card’s insurer is Europ Assistance—I declare the trip online and download an insurance certificate before leaving). And since I’ve never needed it so far, I can’t really say if it’s enough or if it works well. Yesterday, friends asked me the exact same question—twice in two days—so maybe I should look into this more closely. 😛

Thanks for your reply! I no longer have the Carte Première, but I know that with this card, you get easier access to medical care abroad. I’ll check with my bank or simply with my insurance.

Have a great trip!

Hi there,

It’ll depend on your card, actually. With standard cards, coverage can range from 0 € to 11,000 € depending on your bank. For example, with Premier Visa cards, it’s 155,000 €, but you’ll need to have purchased your flight ticket either partially or in full to be covered. The trip shouldn’t exceed 90 consecutive days. Check your bank’s app—it should explain everything.

you’ll need to have bought your flight ticket either partially or in full to be insured.

No, that’s a common mistake. The mandatory requirement is for insurance—like delayed or canceled flights, or unfulfilled reservations, etc. Medical care or repatriation falls under assistance, which is covered even if you don’t use the card. That said, the level of assistance does depend on the type of card, and it’s still highly recommended to have a premium card, even if it’s free.

Absolutely, the devil’s in the details.

Sure enough, after this discussion, I checked my coverage and terms, etc., and that’s exactly how it is. But I still hope, as always, that I won’t need it...

Unrelated, but I managed to get tickets for the Ghibli Museum (sales for October just started last night). From what I gathered, don’t expect something mind-blowing given the hype around the tickets (which, by the way, are already sold out for the month, just minutes after going on sale). But I’m still happy we’re going—I’m a huge fan of the studio’s films, and my daughter is too. We’ll also take the opportunity to spend some time in Kichijoji. I had noted down (thanks to Toth): - Kichijoji Petit Mura - Inokashira Park and of course the museum in the mid-afternoon. If there’s anything else to plan while we’re there, let me know ;) ...and maybe a good place to have lunch😛

Thanks

Hi there, I’m finalizing my trip for October and have a few questions:

Car rental - I’m returning the rental car at Shinagawa (I need to drop it off by 1 PM, but I’m aiming to be there before noon). After that, I’ll head straight to Osaka. Can I buy 3 Shinkansen tickets to Osaka on the same day, or is it risky (it’s a Monday)? Or if I buy a train ticket in advance and end up being ready to leave earlier, can I change it easily? Since I have no experience renting a car there, I’m not sure if returning the vehicle is quick or if I should allow extra time...

Osaka I’ll spend 3.5 days in Osaka. Here’s my plan: - Arrival day in Osaka in the afternoon. Not sure which neighborhood is worth exploring in the late afternoon (Shinsekai?), since I’m arriving on a Monday. - 1 day in Nara - 1 day at Universal Studios - 1 day for the aquarium, various sights (castle, Shitenno-ji Temple, shopping, etc.). Himeji will be for my next trip. I’m debating which neighborhood to stay in to be well-located for transport (and also have good restaurants nearby). Any recommendations for a neighborhood (or even a hotel)? (The one Girrardinpho mentions in their travel journal is closed according to Google.) During my 2013 trip, our hotel (whose name and neighborhood I unfortunately don’t remember) was really out of the way and not convenient for transport, so I’d love to do better this time.

Onsen When I search for Tsurumaki onsen, I only find super expensive options. I’m looking for an onsen experience (private, since I’ve heard it’s not possible otherwise with a child), but I can’t find anything at normal prices. Around Kawaguchiko or Hakone—or anywhere else (I’ll have a car, so it’s easy)—do you know where I could find a nice ryokan/onsen experience with a child for a max of 300 € per night (which is already a big budget)? Because right now, I’m seeing places for 600, 700 € a night 🏴‍☠️

Thanks in advance! :) !